1/48 and 1/32 scale plans of following aircraft: MiG-15 MiG-15bis UTI MiG-15 all Polish Variants

On September 21, 1953, U.S. airmen at Kimpo Air Base near Seoul, Korea, were startled to see landing a MiG-15, the most advanced Soviet-built fighter plane of the era, piloted by Senior Lieutenant No Kum-Sok, a 21-year-old North Korean Air Force officer. Once he landed, Lieutenant No found that his mother had escaped to the South two years earlier, and they were soon reunited. At his request, No came to the United States and became a U.S. citizen. His story provides a unique insight into how North Korea conducted the Korean War and how he came to the decision to leave his homeland.

In the years following World War II, many nations made use of captured German technology, and given the pressures of the incipient Cold War, Soviet engineers often had very little time to produce an "answer to the West". As a result, the MiG-15's designers made use of German technologies and a British powerplant, which served to accelerate the fighter's development. The MiG-15 had a long service career and was built in huge numbers both within and outside the Soviet Union. The main factors in the MiG-15's success were a turbojet rated at over 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) of thrust, a new configuration with swept wings and empennage, and new pilot survival aids including an ejection seat. These, together with heavy armament and ease of manufacture and operation, made the MiG-15 a superb fighter jet. In fact, it paved the way for Soviet fighter design for the next decade. WarbirdTech Volume 40.

The Soviet Union's swept-swept-wing fighter, controversially powered by a copied Rolls-Royce Nene jet engine, caused a sensation and more than a few problems for its opponents when it was introduced in the Korean War in 1950. This book is compiled from a wealth of first-hand Russian sources and includes a comprehensive history of the design and its service. Includes extensive and detailed photo coverage from Russian sources, almost all of which have never-before been seen. For military enthusiasts and modelers.

At the beginning of the Korean War, the west discovered the MiG-15, the first mass-produced jet fighter built in the Soviet Union. This small device entered service at the end of 1950 in its improved version, the MiG-15bis, and in turn was quickly deployed to Korea where, with its powerful armament and handling, it was an unpleasant surprise for the forces of the United Nations, after finding their air superiority with the arrival of the latest version of the famous F-86 Sabre. While the "bundle" - a nickname given by NATO to the MiG-15 - was barely in use, MiG conceived its successor, the more efficient and wing modified MiG-17 ("Fresco"). The type was withdrawn from service in the USSR in the late sixties, however it had great success abroad. The "Fresco" was the most exported Soviet fighter until the arrival of its indirect successor, MiG-21 (see Planes & Pilots No. 12).

When the Mikoyan Gerevich MiG-15 first appeared in combat against the Western powers during the Korean War it caused consternation amongst its opposition. Its performance far outstripped any jet fighter aircraft produced by the West at the time and its duels with the US F86 Sabre have entered into aviation legend. The success of the MiG-15 was such that it went on to become the most widely produced jet fighter aircraft in history, and although figures vary it is believed over 12,000 were built plus another 6,000 under licence. The protoype of the distinctive fighter, built by the Mikoyan design bureau, with its high swept wing and tailplane and nose intake first flew in 1947, and was first deployed in the Korean War at the start of the 1950s. Although it suffered from handling problems when involved in dogfights with the F86, and a number were shot down, it had been built primarily with the role of interceptor in mind and was highly effective against the US heavy bombers. The MiG-15 was produced in a number of variants, both in single seat and two-seat versions and remained in service as a trainer aircraft for Warsaw Pact countries into the 1970s. Its improved successors, the MiG-17 and MiG-19 became the standard Soviet jet fighters of the early Cold War, including the Vietnam War. The MiG-15 was also produced in Czechoslovakia, Poland and China and aircraft were exported throughout the world. Its rugged build has ensured that a number survive in flying condition today. This book is a worthy addition to the acclaimed 'Famous Russian Aircraft' series, with a comprehensive history of the aircraft's development, design history and use, throughout the world. The comprehensive text is supported by almost 1000 photographs and line drawings as well as over a 100 detailed colour profiles. This will be the definitive book on the market of this historic Soviet jet fighter.

The Soviet Union began assisting the People's Republic of China in its establishment of a modern air force in 1950, when Soviet Air Force regiments were sent to train local pilots. China's involvement in the Korean War in late October 1950 inevitably drew Soviet pilots into the war, with a total of 52 Soviet pilots scoring five or more victories there. The history of these covert actions has been a long-buried secret and this book is the first English publication to detail the only instance when the Cold War became 'hot'. This book uncovers Soviet combat experiences during the Korean War from detailed unit histories and rare first-hand account. With access to extensive Russian archives, the authors offer an enthralling insight into an air war that has been largely covered up and neglected. Illustrated with previously unpublished photographs and detailed full colour profiles, this book is a unique opportunity to read about an often-forgotten aspect of the Cold War.